I note this would be an excellent test of loyalty to darling Nikki for someone who was called a “former” Resurrectionist. Just getting in touch with him outright would be an awfull risk of falling into a trap set by Uriel’s intelligence people.

…it’s the whole ‘it’s been a pleasure flying with you’ that made me think Dolor isn’t going to have the ship around any more. Plus, if I entended to kill that guy I’d want to be very certain I had done it right.

It’s pretty unambiguous that Dolor just told the ship to self destruct. “It’s been a pleasure flying with you” is something you say when you know there won’t be anymore flying with someone/thing. As for the possibility that it could be a test from Nikki…In a universe where resurrections happen (as demonstrated by Nikki him/herself), that is entirely possible. Either this plucky pilot is about to meet his maker, or he’s about to meet Nikki/someone that works for Nikki. Either way, it won’t be a surprise but I look forward to seeing it.